World Cup 2027: The Afghanistan team, currently touring Ireland for a five-match ODI series, has secured direct qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup after winning the second match of the series by 92 runs. A total of 14 teams will participate in the 2027 ODI World Cup—co-hosted by South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe—with the top 10 teams qualifying directly based on rankings as of the September 30 cutoff date. Afghanistan has become the ninth team to qualify directly for the World Cup; the final remaining spot will be decided between Bangladesh and the West Indies, with the two-time world champion West Indies team currently in a precarious position.
Afghanistan wins second ODI and secures direct World Cup ticket
After the first ODI of the Ireland tour was washed out by rain, Afghanistan delivered a brilliant all-round performance in the second match, setting a target of 300 runs for the hosts after batting first. Subsequently, powered by Rashid Khan’s magnificent bowling spell—where he claimed 6 wickets for 34 runs—they bowled out Ireland for 207, thereby sealing their spot in the 2027 World Cup. While Afghanistan is the ninth team to qualify directly, India, Australia, New Zealand, England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka had already secured their places, and South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia qualified automatically as host nations.
Bangladesh in a strong position for the final remaining spot
Only one spot remains for direct qualification to the 2027 ODI World Cup, and Bangladesh appears to be in a very strong position to claim it. Bangladesh is currently in ninth place; if the ODI series against India proposed for September does not take place, they will qualify directly for the ODI World Cup, while the West Indies team will have to play in the World Cup qualifier round. Ireland has already secured a spot in this round, and the other team will be either the West Indies or Bangladesh. A total of 10 teams will participate in the qualifier round.
